Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Kaari Meng of French General to the Jolly Jabber. Kaari’s latest fabric collection is Panier de Fleurs by Moda Fabrics.

Q:
What was the first seed that grew into the Panier de Fleurs collection?
A:
My inspiration for Panier de Fleurs was the basket of fresh flowers I always see at the farmer's markets in the South of France. Every summer we take a group of women to France to learn how to live like rural French women - and heading out to the farmer's market's is always one of the highlights of the week. The piles of fresh lavender, sunflowers and roses always inspires me and makes me think about new design ideas.

Q:
If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A:
Panier de Fleurs soundtrack would have to be all about the accordion that is played in the little French cafés. The cafés fill up with farmers and merchants after the market - everyone sits around and has a café creme or a glass of cognac.Here is what it sounds like

Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite (can only pick one!)?
A:
As always, I love the red and grey prints the best. My favorite print from Panier de Fleurs is 13590 - inspired from an 19th century French textile. It's a rural, elegant print that fits perfectly into my idea of a French country house.

Q:
What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A:
I have three favorite projects from Panier de Fleurs: a basket applique quilt designed by Penny Tucker - pattern available at www.frenchgeneral.com;

and our prize ribbons which was featuring on my blog, September 29th, during Moda's Country Fair Blog Hop.

Q:
What is your favorite part of working in the fabric industry?
A:
I have many favorites about the fabric industry - but I think my absolute favorite part are the people who work in this industry. I have really enjoyed getting to know so many inspiring designers and merchants - and everyone truly enjoys what they do. I think it is a real tribute to the quilting industry to have so many passionate people involved.

My second favorite part of the fabric industry is receiving my collection from Moda (early!) - when UPS pulls up and drops off a box of fabric - my stomach gets all nervous and my heart starts beating a bit faster. I can finally sit back and enjoy the whole collection.

Q:
Can you give us a sneak-peek of your next fabric collection?
A:
My next fabric collection is a return to the past! We are reprinting our very first collection, Rouenneries with some of the best prints - as well as a few new, fresh prints, to make up Rouenneries Deux. I am really excited about this collection coming out again - the juicy reds, pale reds, soft greys and faded hemp colors make this one of our best selling collections - and it fits into my house perfectly!

Q:
What is your absolute favorite thing in your house?
A:
My favorite item in my house would have to be my daughter - does that count? Sofia brightens my day and inspires me to continue creating something new everyday. My second favorite items would have to be paintings I found in New York City fifteen years ago. The landscape is painted by Joseph Fiore, a listed artist from Black Mountain College.

Q:
Which project stands out in your memory as your all-time favorite?
A:
One of my all time favorite projects has to be the scrap boards I make using all of the scraps I find on the floor - tiny little pieces that I just don't have the heart to throw away - so I sew them onto a piece of burlap and save them to remind me of all of the little beauties that I have used in projects - or for inspiration while designing fabric.

Q:
Where do you do your best thinking? Can we see a photo of your studio?
A:
I have many different places I like to work - and each gives me different inspiration. French General is filled with all of the old beads, trims and paper that I use for creating kits. Our garage at home has been converted into a studio and sewing place for me - the shelves are stacked high with all of the antique fabric I use to design our collection for Moda. And finally, my desk in the house is always piled high with a new project or two. I suppose each space allows me to create in a different way - so I probably do my best thinking whenever I am in one of these creative spaces.

Q:
What is your one guilty pleasure in life?
A:
I am sure that I have more than one - but one guilty pleasure that I know I am guilty of is going to the shop and NOT working - just letting myself be in a creative space - hoping that I can soak in the energy and then maybe the creativity will flow! I also love a glass of Lillet any time of the day - and sometimes, that too, helps my creativity!

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And now, Kaari has generously donated a Panier De Fleurs Jelly Roll to one lucky winner!

Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what you love most about France or that is French for the chance to win.

My mother was raised in France and one summer my brother and I went for a holiday to France with her. I was 10 years old and can clearly remember getting off the ferry at Callais to have my first 'baguette with pate' from a street vendor...mmmmmmmm delish!!

Ooo la la. Things I love about France and french things. Love of nature and the outdoors. And butter and sauces. It took eating at a real french restaurant to understand why people put sauces on their food.

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on some Rouenneries Deux. It's lovely. One of my favorite things from France is the beautiful song "La Vie en Rose" - whenever I hear it, I think of a romantic Paris cafe with little tables along the sidewalk, a platter of great cheese and a baguette, and of course someone special to share it with.

My favorite thing about France has to be the food. When my husband and I went to Paris many, many years ago we walked everywhere, and I was so glad. That way I could eat an enormous dinner/dessert and not feel guilty!Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

I've never been to France so I can't really comment about the country. It looks beautiful and maybe I'll get there someday. There are some French wines that I like a lot. On the other hand, French General fabric is one of the happiest things that happened to me in my quilting life. I have loved every line and drool everytime a new line comes out. Keep up the good work!Mary

French fries....french toast....probably neither of which are actually French!! hehe But seriously, I pretty much only know of France what I know from my friend who visited there with her family last summer, and if there was one European country I would love to visit someday it would be France!!

I've never been there, however I picture it in my head as swirly and colorful and arcitecturally detailed. I'd really love to go, but I don't think it is in the picture. I'll just eat some french food.

I've never been to France, but I love the sound of their language. I would also love to visit Normandy beach and see where the invasion occurred. To feel the history that is in the soil.Thanks for the chance to win some yummy fabric.

I would have to say my favorite is the French language. I could be biased, since I study Ottoman-Franco relations in the 16th century, but I always get excited to find a diary written in French from that era! :)

I was fortunate enough to travel to France on a short exchange as a high-schooler. I had a wonderful time and it was very eye-opening - but learning to like fresh tomatoes was probably the most day-to-day life-changing part of the trip :) Silly, but true. And so - I think about that summer every time I eat a quality tomato.

I have never been to France but what I love most about France is my friend and former colleague Lydie. She is petite, charming and stylish, she actually says: "ooh la la" from time to time but underneath her pretty exterior is a spine of stainless steel. Lydie is almost completely deaf and has learned to lip read in English almost as well as she does in French. She is a remarkable person and I feel privileged to know her.

I've never been to France, but I love the French language. I think it is so beautiful. I tried to learn when I was in the 8th grade, but it did not stick ;-) And I am SO excited to hear that Rounneries is making a come back. It is my very favorite French General line. I sure hope I can find some as I have a little stash waiting for the perfect pattern :-)

What do I love about France? - I've never been, but that doesn't stop me from loving the food! the accent! the art (Louvre anyone?)! the WINE! Thanks for the opportunity to bring a little "France" home. :-)sunshdws@yahoo.com

I've never been to France so it's hard for me to pin point a thing, but I guess what I love about France is the idea of romance~~ I just feel like it is such a romantic place,and that is one place I wanted to visit one day.

my father, in 1917, sailed for france , down the west coast, through the new panama canal and over to leharve, to fight for french freedom. he would tell us stories about a french family he got to know and like, and of finding a violin, that he played for us and sang us, in french, several songs and ditties that he had learned there. i have a few pieces of french general that i really like; i'd like to win some new french general! thanx for the opportunity to do so.

croissants would be a highlight but I would love to go to a patisserie shop........I am so excited to hear you are bring back the favourites from the earlier range...........fabrics come and go just way to quick.........PLEASE slow it down.........

I have not been to France myself but my Mom grew up in Switzerland and can speak French. (with a Swiss accent hehe) When I took French in high school my Mom would help me practice. We'd also have fondue and fresh baguettes. Yum- Yum.

Thank you for the giveaway and a chance to win. Great interview as well.

My grandfather was from France but I have never been there. My maiden name is OUIMETTE. It's O not Q as so many wanted it to be when I was growning up. It's pronounced We-Met. And many would say when did we meet. My grandaughter's name is Paris because her Mother wants to go to France also. I will go someday I hope. This line is beautiful. Thank you for the interview and the giveaway. I loved it.

I LOVE ALL THINGS FRENCH!I DO WATERCOLOR+ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTIST'S IS MONET.I LOVE TO QUILT TOO+FRENCH GENERAL IS A FAVORITE. THINK I'LL REALLY LIKE THEIR NEW:"PANIER DE FLEURS"!THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW+SWEET GIVEAWAY ♥

I visited France in my teens, and what I mostly remember is the love the french people showed me, a young swedish girl stuttering her question in French. The police officer was delighted that I even tried to speak French, so he smiled widely and answered me - in French - at the speed of light. My question was about how to get to Bois de Bologne, but I was totally lost after the first words: A droîte ... (to the right) but I didn't want to let him know, so I decided to just listen and throw in a oui, oui (yes, yes) here and there. OMG how much we laught afterwards!

I can only comment on Paris because it's the only place in France I've ever been, but my chief memory is that it was just so pretty: everything from the flowers to the sidewalk cafes to the cathedrals to the Metro signs, c'est tres jolie!

I really liked sitting in the little outside cafes in France & watching the people. Also, loved the bread. I just saw your new fabric at my local quilt store this weekend & added it to my must have list.

Can I play really? I am French so I might be biased in my judgement, even though I don't live in France at the moment (and haven't been for 11 years). It will have to be food and wine of course. Dare I say rugby as we won on Saturday in the quarter final of the World Cup? But there are also plenty of things I don't like in France like how French people in general can forget to be welcoming and complain so much, I was glad to leave strike-land behind when I moved out.

My favourite thing about France are my memories of traveling there as a twenty year old. It was dreamily romantic but now I'm nearly forty....it would be nice to go back one day. I also LOVE le Tour. It's the best thing on tv all year. lexilucas@gmail.com

I got "stuck" in Paris because of a train strike a few years back...which is not the worst place to be stuck in! My favorite thing about France in general is the wine and the cheese. I could live off it and did when I was backpacking through Europe. My favorite thing about Paris is the view of the city from Sacre-Coeur at night....AMAZING!

I lived in France for a few years, and I miss so much. One of my favorite things is how sweet and generous the French can be. I've had people walk blocks out of their way with me to make sure I found my metro stop, and I had two friends who always went to the doctor with me to make sure that I was okay and to make sure that the doctor and I understood each other.

Never been, like a lot of those leaving comments, but I have a dear friend who went over the spring. I got a lovely box of French things. Everything is so beautiful and smells wonderful! I'll be keeping all of the packaging long after the items are gone for inspiration!

Les fromage! The cheese! Sheep's milk cheese, cows milk cheese...made into such delectable lusciousness! And served with a beautiful conserve. Oh and a glass or Bordeaux... I'm making myself hungry just thinking about it.

I studied French years ago in high school and fell in love instantly. Although speaking and reading French is only a memory now, these gorgeous fabrics make me reflect back to simpler days and make me smile. I would love love love to benefit from some of this beautiful fabric...Thanks, Fayecarolinastitcher.blogspot.com

I've never been to France. I've never been to Europe. In fact, I've never been off this continent.

France has always been a destination foremost in my mind. I've always joked to my kids as they're growing up that I'm putting my everything into them and their interests knowing that one day they will take their mother to Paris. My daughter, now 24, has been feeling a little anxious about it so for the past couple of years I've been assuring her that I was only kidding (and I was). I certainly don't expect either of my kids to take me to Paris. My son, now 21, is still quite sure he'll take our whole family there one day after he finishes University and starts raking in megabucks. LOL I always tell him not to worry about it ... that I'll be happy just to live in his carriage house wherever that ends up being.

Paris, though. The stuff of dreams for a farm girl from the Canadian prairies. I imagine that tower. And fields of lavender in the countryside. And macarons in a fancy bakery. Cheeses. Baguettes. The louvre. Cafes and bistros. Architecture. The haunts of famous artists, writers and thinkers. Ahhh ... the France of my imagination.

I think I would love the bread and the outdoor cafes. wish I had paid more attention when I took french in highschool. love to hear someone speak in french. Rosetta stone I NEED YOU. Thanks for a chance to win some beautiful french general fabric. Janita

I have not yet had the opportunity to travel to France but hope to some day. I love the language, I took 6 years of french in school. A friend just returned from a trip to France and she has beautiful pictures of the country.

I looove the Tour de France! Living in Australia, we sit up late nights in July to watch the tour and were very proud supporters of Cadel Evans win this year. Of course, I love French decorating too. It's my dream to one day travel there and experience everything French.

I love the family that hosted me for 7 weeks in St. Brieuc over ten years ago. Salut, famille Lardy! I regret to say I've lost most of my French vocabulary. After them, I'd have to say what I love most about France is the CHEESE! That would be why I gained 27 pounds in 7 weeks! J'adore les fromage...Merci beaucoup!!!

I absolutely love this fabric (Panier de Fleurs)and grabbed a stack of FQ's Saturday from a little quilt shop I happen to be browsing through. Beautiful fabrics ... thank you for sharing. France? Hmm ... haven't been there but my daughter has and have read a great deal about it. Love the countryside, the accent, the sidewalk cafes and, of course, the food ... which I can enjoy here but not as well. Love to go, though ...

I love the Provance region of France with blue, yellow and paisley in the design. And lavender to help brighten the day. Here at my home in California, the bees are very busy on the last of the year's lavender blooms. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of the French General fabrics!

What is not to love about a french pastry...oh now I'm hungry!...and the inspiration France gives to Kaari for her beautiful fabrics (my favourite fabrics are all French General)...thanks for the opportunity to win...

My favorite things about france are all things not actually french! My parents had a french exchange student this past summer, and he was a very funny kid. My younger sister loved telling fabien how much he loved french today and french bread...and fabian would huff and say, "that's not french!"

Does French toast count? It is my favorite breakfast. I've never been to France and certainly I would love to try their food and see the sights. I once visited a home with a French kitchen design and fell in love with it. I especially love hens on display. Oooh la la!

What I love the most is the French way of living - a simple, rural life amongst flowers like lavender and roses and being in the garden the whole day enjoying the beautiful warm weather. When I look at this new collection it gives me this same feeling.

I haven't been to France (YET) but I love the Romance of Paris, the serene beauty of Provence ... C'est la vie! I can pretend I'm there with some good wine, cheese and pastries ! My favorite artist has always been Claude Monet and I love the Impressionist works. Thanks for the chance to win !!

I have never been to France, although it is on the bucket list. What I like most about France is that it seems to inspire artists like Kaari and other people to create the most wonderful things, wine, food, paintings and of course FABRIC!!

I live in the French countryside and life is so great here, so calm and filled with so many colors, green, blue and all the colors of the flowers. I made a doll quilt with Maison de Garance of French General and it's so beautiful!!!!!

I love their Chamagne reageon. Every restaurant serves wonderful food and of course house champagne. Some of them are so understated which is so opposite to what you would expect from your great French restaurant in London.

I have never been to France and I don't speak French so what little bit I know is from the movies. I heard (can't remember where) that the French are much more laid back in their daily routines. I sure would love that.

Dreaming about France, I'd so like to go there. I love the Eiffel Tower, the French Open (tennis), and french pastries, but French General fabric is as close as I've gotten so far. That's okay, I love it! Kd - www.KdQuilts.com

I've loved France since I was little. The language is so beautiful. I went there on my honeymoon and I traveled there as a teenager. I love the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coure and Notre Dame. So beautiful!